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4600 County Line Rd.

Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin

Raymond Friesema Obituary

RACINE - Raymond Friesema, 83, died peacefully at his home, with family members attending him, on Friday morning, May 6, 2011 following a courageous four-year battle with cancer. He was born June 28, 1927 at the farm home to Jacob and Mamie (nee: Dykstra) Friesema. His schooling began at a one-room school, Sylvania. With the family moving to Racine, he was educated in the Racine schools, graduating in the Washington Park High School 'Class of 1945'. His father picked up Ray's diploma however, because Ray was already in the United States Navy, with the Seabees stationed on Guam. Upon his release in October of 1946, he enrolled in classes at Parkside, and from there to MSOE pursuing an education in mechanical engineering. On September 24, 1949, he married the former Hazel Jacobson in a ceremony at the Calvary Memorial Church, then called the Gospel Tabernacle. He has been very involved in the ministry of the church all his life, serving as a Sunday School teacher, board member of the finance committee and Missionary committee. For the past 22 years he has been the greeter at a main entrance, serving people, particularly those handicapped. His faithfulness and friendliness has endeared him to many. That service has only been terminated because of his illness. His lifetime has been spent in the machine tool industry, working at Tree Tool & Die, Famco Machinery in Kenosha, Tru-Trace Corporation of California and culminating with many years as a manufacturers' rep for Seaberg Machinery of New York. His territory covered many of the Midwestern States and his 'best tool' of the trade was his Mooney airplane that he owned and piloted. In addition to business, his plane was often used as a means of carrying out missions of mercy. He always enjoyed his work, but was happy to return as quickly as possible to the family. Every position he held, was with the understanding that for him, God took first place, his family came second, and then the job. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Hazel; their five children, John (Jean) Friesema, Bill (Trudy) Friesema, all of Woodland Park, Colo., Mary Claire Friesema of Denver, Colo., Kay (Chuck) Smith of Lake George, Colo., and Jayne (Bob) Bradford of Hammond; twelve grandchildren, Jason (Trish) Friesema, Josh (AnnMarie) Friesema, all of Woodland Park, Colo.; John (Annie) Friesema, Jr., of Colorado Springs, Colo.; Sam (Jessica) Friesema of Cleveland, Ohio; Shelly (Nathan) Reitz of Pagosa Springs, Colo.; Krystal (Dre) Arceneaux of Arvada, Colo.; Nick Leiting of Texas; Sgt. Brent (Katie) Lang, serving in Afghanistan; Katrina Lang (fiancée Matt Pulda) of Sturtevant; Grant Lang of Racine; Philip (Katie) Buckles, of Roseville, Minn.; and Kim Bradford of Hammond. There are also 15 great grand- children. Ray has a sister, Clara (Fred) Schaefer of Racine and a brother Jacob (Murly) Friesema of Aurora, Ill.; their children, Rev. Tim (Marie) Friesema and Lori Friesema. Ray has two sisters-in-law, Joyce (Fred) Larson of Racine and Grace Stried of Zion, Ill.. There are also numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Ray was pre-deceased by his parents, Jacob and Mamie Friesema; and by an older brother, John, killed in World War II and buried in Holland. Visitation will be held at Draeger Langendorf Funeral Home at 4600 County Line Road, Racine from 5 until 8 p.m. on Sunday evening, May 8, 2011. There will also be visitation on Monday, May 9, 2011 at Calvary Memorial Church, 4001 Washington Avenue, Racine, from 9:30 a.m. until service time at 11 a.m. with Rev. Nathan James officiating. Private interment will take place in West Lawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Missions fund of Calvary Memorial Church or to Youth for Christ of Racine. The family wishes to express gratitude to Dr. Michael Mullane and also to Dr. James Taylor for their compassionate, tender care throughout the years of Ray's illness. DRAEGER-LANGENDORF FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY 4600 County Line Road 552-9000 www.draeger-langendorf.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Racine Journal Times on May 7, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
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Rose and Brad Bliss

May 13, 2011

Ray had any easy smile and was always happy to see you. We know his joy came from the Lord. It was a privilege to know him. Rose and Brad Bliss

May 11, 2011

Even though I never knew Ray, I have been blessed with a personal connection to Kay. This helps me to recognize that he must have been an amazing man to raise such an outstanding daughter. May he rest in peace. Barbara Pickholz-Weiner (Woodland Park, CO)

Anthony Barnhart

May 8, 2011

My thoughts n prayers go out to you.
With his smile and kind words he was a great friend to my family.

Judy Wilson

May 7, 2011

I am blessed to have know Ray. What a wonderful legacy he has left for his family here on earth and for eternity! My prayers go out to each family member during this time of loss.

Susan & Bob Henricksen-Thompson

May 7, 2011

Dad (Chuck Henricksen) and we treasure the many, many years of memories with Ray, Hazel, and family. We send our gratitude for these wonderful friendships as well as our deepest sympathies with, oh, so much love.

May 7, 2011

Remembering our great times in the Mooney. My prayers are with you Hazel. Jerry Bliss (Sun City West, AZ).

Pam Mattila

May 7, 2011

Deepest sympathy to all of you! May God's loving arms comfort you as you remember all the wonderful times shared with Ray.

May 7, 2011

Many good memories with both of you in Racine and at the Ranch. We are thankful you are with the Lord and we look forward to seeing you again.
Hazel, you are in our prayers. Jim and Jeanette Kay

Carlton & Phyllis Ruud

May 7, 2011

We send our prayers, love and sympathy

Sara Bailey

May 7, 2011

So many great memories at the Ranch and in Racine. Thanks Ray, for always being there for Steve...You will be missed greatly. I am so privileged to have known you for the 15 years that I have, my life has been blessed because of you! Steve and Sara Bailey (Moriah, Isaac, Shiloh, Bethany and Jacob)

The great-grandkids having fun with papa!

Abigail, Eden, Gabriel, Katie, and Brent Lang

May 7, 2011

You are going to be missed grandpa! We love you!!!

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4600 County Line Rd., Mount Pleasant, WI 53403

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